The True Ruler, page 18
part #5 of Worlds Apart Series
Cassie turned her beautiful blue eyes on him and stared into his. He was mated to one of the most powerful women in existence. She should be able to make up for any weakness on his part.
“How are you feeling?” he heard Cassie ask within his mind. It was an incredible feeling having her there.
“We are connected,” Darden said with relief. “Focus on me and transfer some of your power, while I attempt to open a portal. Opening a natural portal is second nature to a crystal telepath, while creating one will require more energy and concentration. Continue to push what you can toward me and I will do all the work.”
Darden concentrated, but was unable to open a gateway. He knew he had the capacity and ability to do so with Cassie by his side. He went to the place he always did in his mind when he navigated portals. Focus was all that was required to be successful.
“Hurry,” Candy warned.
“You are not helping, Candy,” Darden groused. “Focus on me, Cassie. Share with me what you can and I will do the rest.”
Footsteps echoed down the hall when a portal finally opened. It was on the smaller side, but it would be adequate for the five of them. Unfortunately, if none of the others in their party were close by they would have to be left behind. Darden was grateful he had been able to open that portal. There was no telling how long this one would last. They needed to leave now and hope they would be able to navigate once they were within the wormhole.
They entered the event horizon, all of them working to physically support Darden. Once within the center of the portal, Darden mentally reached out to Cassie and found their connection strong, even within the wormhole. The melody for the penal colony played in his mind. He pushed that tone forward, hoping the penal colony’s harmonics would open a portal and allow them entrance into that world. Darden also pushed the frequency to Cassie’s mind, assuring it would be sustained if he lost consciousness. If the frequency was off by even one Hertz, who knew where they might end up.
Chapter 19
The Troyk Penal Colony World
Cassie once again stepped into the penal world she had recently called home. The settlement was deserted. As planned, the children and all remaining citizens had evacuated the camp in case the invasion did not turn out as they hoped.
She should have reconnected to the warrior link before they left the Troyk universe to hear how the mission was going. No one was expecting a swift, bloodless battle. Their primary goal was to secure The Palace and capture Jeryl Jarlyn. Everything else would take time. Shirl also had to ensure Drake and Jace returned to the Nightshade universe before the sun rose or found a secure, safe, and dark place the two vampires could wait out the day.
“How did it go?” Alex asked. She had come from the direction of the lake, so Cassie had not initially seen her.
Cassie looked over at Darden before responding to Alex. Her soul mate appeared better, but in no way ready to return and join the battle determining the future of the Troyk universe. That was something she, Frazour, and Candy would have to do without him. Stellar had stayed behind to free as many people from the prison as he thought wise. She was not sure how he faired. The Palace Guards had descended on them right before she and Darden opened the portal.
“Why aren’t you with the others?” Cassie asked.
“What, and wait for information?” Alex replied. “I don’t think so. Tarsea, Shirl, JoAnna, and our friends are still fighting.”
“They were working to secure The Palace when we left.” Candy provided the information Cassie had been unable to. It had not dawned on her to ask Candy how things faired before they left the Troyk universe. “I need to return. Can you open another portal and take me back?”
Cassie stood there, staring at Candy. She hoped Darden would be in better shape before plotting their return. He was able to open a portal with the power of the crystals within The Palace. Although there was a naturally occurring portal within the settlement, Darden still needed to be able to set the coordinates. Even with Frazour’s blood running through his veins repairing his body, Darden was barely able to stand.
“We may have to stay here,” Cassie finally admitted. Before Candy could object, Cassie began explaining the delay. “If my dad and our friends fail, we need more than your soul mate and a hand full of former dissidents to protect the children.” She hoped throwing Tolfer in there would help pacify Candy. Fortunately, getting Frazour back to the Nightshade universe immediately was not of paramount concern. The transforming elemental would be able to tolerate the sun until Darden was strong enough to get him home.
Candy remained silent, considering Cassie’s explanation. The more Cassie thought about it, the better she liked the idea of staying put. They already successfully executed their part of the plan. Three more fighters were not going to make a difference whether the Troyk universe was won or lost, but they would make a difference if there were reprisals.
“Let’s get Darden settled and maybe give him a little more of your blood, Frazour,” Cassie said.
“Candy and Frazour can do that,” Alex said. “I’d like to talk to you, Cassie.”
‘Oh, boy’, Cassie thought. She did not like the look on Alex’s face. Cassie didn’t know what Alex had to say, but she had a feeling she was not going to like it. Alex turned and walked back toward the lake. Cassie followed her, feeling she had little choice. Candy and Frazour were already on their way to make Darden comfortable.
Alex picked up a flat rock and skipped it across the water. How did a girl who grew up in a desert learn to skip stones? If circumstances were different, she’d have Alex show her how to do it. There was still the contest with Darden to be won.
“When are you going to admit who you truly are?” Alex asked. “How can you stay here when your father, my soul mate, and our friends are all fighting for the future of the Troyk universe?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Cassie said, although she knew exactly what Alex meant.
“What type of channel opened between us at the orphanage?” Alex inquired. “I know it’s not a closed communal channel between close friends. Such things do not exist. When Chartail was able to enter it, I thought it had to do with her being Benko’s soul mate. But the more I thought about it, the less sense it made until I factored you into the equation. The warrior channel did not open originally between Benko and Darden, did it? It opened between you and Darden. You just never admitted it. Benko Jarlyn is not the True Ruler, you are!”
Cassie’s world shattered. She actually started to believe her own lie, but this girl – one she once wanted to be her sister – knew the truth. Benko was everything a ruler should be. He was brave, idealistic, and a born leader. Cassie was a mess, but how could she deny it?
Measuring her words carefully, Cassie explained. “It’s not that simple, Alex. I am not sure what the channel is we share. Chartail’s presence in the pathway makes no sense. You don’t think I don’t wake up every morning wishing the warrior channel first opened between Darden and my father? I don’t want to be the True Ruler.”
“You are who you are, Cassie,” Alex replied. “Didn’t you realize the effect you had on people when you were in the Troyk universe? I didn’t get to witness it firsthand, but JoAnna and Candy told me about it. You had the ability to calm an agitated crowd. They probably suspected who you really are, but did not have the courage to say anything. How can you stay here when they are fighting for your world?”
“My world?” Cassie countered. “I grew up on Earth, just like you did. Although I knew I had telepathic powers, I fought to hide them. Do you know I killed a man when I was ten? If I am the True Ruler, then something is really screwed up!”
“Did that man attempt to hurt you or your father?” Alex asked.
Cassie had spent years blocking the memory of that day from her mind. At times she almost convinced herself it was all a horrible nightmare. Her untrained power caused the man’s brain to swell and his skull cracked like an egg, just like Darden had done to Barash. No one should have that kind of power.
“He came after me,” Cassie admitted. “My dad had taught me how to defend myself. I didn’t think; I reacted. I focused on following my dad’s instructions every time we trained. Until that man attacked me, I had no clue that training would help me kill anyone. You know, when I close my eyes, I often see that man lying there, his skull shattered and brain matter oozing onto the floor.”
She never talked about that day, even with her father. Discussing it with Alex brought everything flooding back. Cassie swore she would never use her powers again, but as soon as one of her friends was in danger, she broke her oath. How many horrific things can you do in the name of self-preservation or saving a friend before madness sets in?
“Cassie, I had a similar discussion with Shirl not too long ago,” Alex admitted. “A police officer sometimes has to use deadly force to protect the public, just like you must from time to time. Cassie, no one enters a situation intending to kill someone, but tough choices are made when things go wrong. You can let your soul mate, father, or friends die, or you can stop it. All the chatter I heard in the Troyk universe was about how you used your abilities to stop violence. You can do so much good there after everything those people have suffered.”
“But I’m not ready to rule,” Cassie cried.
“Cassie, you were born to rule,” Alex said, “but that does not mean you have to be put in power right away. The people are ready for your father to take Jeryl Jarlyn’s place. With time, you will learn what you need to govern the Aster Province and replace Benko one day. No one else needs to know you are the True Ruler.”
Darden could not believe what he was hearing. He had left Candy and Frazour behind to find his soul mate. He needed Cassie, not rest. He was still in a tremendous amount of pain, but he had to be with his soul mate. Thoughts of her had gotten him to overcome the fear he, too, would perish in that cell, as did many other crystal telepaths before him. Now, he was learning his soul mate had lied to him all these years.
“When were you going to tell me, Cassie?” Darden demanded.
Cassie swung around and he saw panic reflected in her eyes. How had he not felt her in the warrior channel? They were soul mates; he should have felt her presence in any telepathic channel she was active in.
“How could I admit it to you, when I could not admit it to myself?” Cassie responded. “Do you think I wanted this? I was a refugee from another dimension hiding to save my life and my father’s. What would Dad do if he knew the truth? Besides, I didn’t know what was happening. The soul mate channel was so much stronger than the warrior pathway. A link opened between the girls and me even before that and I did not know what it was. Frankly, I still don’t. I was taught to hide my telepathic gift, unless my life depended on it.”
“But why keep it from us once we knew what the warrior channel was?” Darden asked. He just could not understand why Cassie had not confided in him.
“I grew up hearing lovely stories about soul mates and the legendary Warrior Woman,” Cassie said. “Dad left the Troyk universe behind. He did not bother to tell me what the True Ruler was. When I realized what the warrior channel was, he was fine being the True Ruler. It was something I never wanted. All I ever desired was you, Darden, not to rule the Troyk universe.”
“But why pretend not to have finally entered the channel?” Darden asked.
“You should have had faith in me whether or not I could enter that particular link,” Cassie stated. “Besides, it had been years. What excuse could I possibly have if I, all of a sudden, entered a pathway you believed was exclusively yours and my father’s until Tarsea finally entered it? The longer I waited, the more difficult it would have been to explain.”
Cassie looked so young and innocent. Alex returned to the village to give them much needed privacy. He still felt like crap, but all he wanted to do was make love to the girl he had longed for the last eight years. There was a battle raging in another dimension and they had to leave the safety of this world and aid their friends.
“Your father has a world to conquer,” Darden said. “I have been stronger, but I cannot stay here while they risk their lives to liberate my world. The amethyst in your ring is calling to me. It holds enough power to open a portal and allow me to get us home. With you by my side, I have more than enough power to open a temporary portal that will open within The Palace.”
“What difference can we possibly make?” Cassie cried.
“You will make all the difference in the world, my love,” Darden answered. “Your presence will allow the world to heal faster. I have no idea what telepathic ability you use to bring a crowd together in a peaceful manner, but you do. People are drawn to you. We have yet to determine what will be done with your grandfather. Regardless, the people have to be soothed. We cannot allow infighting among the different factions. Calm will be required to discuss matters and find necessary compromises while we rebuild. Whether or not you choose to rule, that is the gift you bring your people.”
“I spent so little time in the Troyk universe,” Cassie said. “How can you possibly know that’s true?”
“Sweetie, I witnessed it firsthand,” Darden answered. “I should not feel anything coming from the communal pathways, but I sensed love brimming from those channels while you were among the people. My telepathic enhancements once we made love must have included having the ability to both feel emotions and communicate through the communal pathways.”
“We should head back to camp and get Candy and Frazour,” Cassie said. “I have one stipulation before we go.”
“Whatever you want, it is yours,” Darden replied. He could deny this woman nothing. If he could fill her every wish, he would.
“When this is over and my dad is ruling the Troyk universe, I want to move in with you and start our lives together,” Cassie said. “Maybe, one day, I will be willing to be the Prime Ruler, but not for a long time. My dad deserves the title. I may be a woman of legend, but I choose to live my life as I desire. I don’t want my birthright to determine what we get out of life, especially if it is something neither of us wants. For eight years, I waited to be with you; and, for the time being, that is all I desire.”
His soul mate had the ability to cut herself off from any channel, but he could feel her love and desire through their private link. It had been too many years and he wanted nothing more than to make love to Cassie. Once things stabilized and their relationship was solidified, they would figure out where their future might lead them.
“We have a world to help conquer,” Darden said. “Afterwards, we will figure out everything else.”
“Oh!” Cassie exclaimed. “I forgot I had these.” Cassie reached into a pocket in her tunic and pulled out three small crystals. “I viewed them as ammunition for the gun, not crystals you could use to navigate with.”
“Hold on to them,” Darden said. “You may need them when we return to the Troyk universe. Your ring is sufficient to generate enough power for me to open a special portal.”
Hand-in-hand, the couple walked back to where a portal would take them to meet their destiny. Neither considered anything other than victory. The alternative was too horrible to face. Should Jeryl Jarlyn prevail, he would rip them apart. Darden would become the weapon used to force Cassie’s compliance and a political marriage would be arranged. Darden envisioned only one possible outcome—victory. He would fight to his last breath to give Cassie a world where she would be free to love and become whatever she desired.
Chapter 20
The Troyk Universe
Darden opened a portal to one of the conference rooms on the third floor of The Palace. He did not want them behind enemy lines when they re-entered the Troyk universe. Cassie immediately entered the warrior channel to discover both how the revolution was unfolding and her father’s location. She glanced at Darden and did not like what she saw. Her soul mate was pale and unsteady. How was she going to find a diplomatic way to have him stay behind while she made her way to her father’s side?
“We are directly below Jeryl Jarlyn’s receiving room,” Cassie said. “Can you feel the crystals’ power? There may be injured that will have to be evacuated. If Darden stays here, we can bring the injured to him and you can transport them through a portal. My amethyst, coupled with the power from the crystals above us, will allow you to open a portal to the penal world.”
Darden’s gray lips parted in the beginning of a smile. Frazour’s blood was not healing him as quickly as she hoped. “Nice try, Cassie,” Darden said. “I am not leaving your side.”
“Actually,” Candy interceded, “Cassie is right. You look horrible and will endanger her life once we leave this room. Don’t bother throwing that ‘soul mates need to be together’ crap at me. Tolfer is where he can do the most good and so am I. We all have sacrifices to make to liberate this world. Once Jeryl has been unseated then we can be together. I will protect Cassie, as will Frazour.”
Frazour extended her soul mate his hand in friendship, a sign of respect for a warrior willing to stay behind and aid the wounded by evacuating them to a safe location. The Nightshade elemental realized Darden knew he was outnumbered and felt too crappy to fight them.
“Promise me you will enter the portal and return to the penal world if it looks like your safety is compromised,” Cassie requested. “I need to focus on the people fighting and don’t have the luxury to worry about you. You kept my dad and me safe for eight years by keeping our whereabouts a secret from my grandfather. My dad and I slept sounder knowing you would bring Shirl, Candy, JoAnna, and Alex to the Troyk universe if anything happened to us. We all have our roles to play, Darden. No one has done it better than you, my love.”
